# EasyCLA

## What is LFX EasyCLA? <a href="#what-is-easycla" id="what-is-easycla"></a>

## LFX EasyCLA

LFX EasyCLA is the only CLA management tool that correctly supports both individual and corporate CLA workflows in an automated environment.

### Key Features

* **Streamlined Workflows**: Simplifies workflows for project maintainers, contributors, and organizations with contributing employees.
* **Automated Processes**: Coordinates the process of getting CLAs signed and authorizing employees to contribute under a signed CLA.
* **Open Source**: Hosted by The Linux Foundation, this open source solution automates manual processes.

### Benefits

* **Reduced Delays**: Helps developers quickly get authorized under a CLA.
* **Efficient Contributions**: Streamlines the contribution process for open source projects that use CLAs.

### Summary

Contributor License Agreements (CLAs) are facilitated by LFX EasyCLA, ensuring a smooth and efficient contribution process for all parties involved.

## What is a CLA? <a href="#what-is-a-cla" id="what-is-a-cla"></a>

Some projects use a *Contributor License Agreement* (CLA) to define the terms under which content (such as source code or documentation) is contributed to the project.

Not all projects use CLAs; many use alternative contribution mechanisms, such as the [Developer Certificate of Origin](https://developercertificate.org) sign-off process. However, for projects that utilize CLAs, tools like LFX EasyCLA help ensure that contributions are only merged into the project if the contributors have signed a valid CLA.

### **Types of CLAs**

There are two main types of CLAs:

\
1\. **Corporate Contributor License Agreement (CCLA)**

* Used when a contribution is made on behalf of a company, typically by an employee.
* The individual signing the CCLA must have the authority to bind the company legally, which is often not the case for the contributors themselves.
* After signing a CCLA, the CLA Manager uses the EasyCLA Corporate Console to manage the list of authorized contributors.

2. **Individual Contributor License Agreement (ICLA)**

* Required for contributors who own their work.
* Before their contributions can be merged into the project repository, contributors must sign an ICLA.

Once a contributor has been authorized under a signed CLA, they can proceed to contribute to the project without facing any restrictions imposed by the EasyCLA checks.

## How Does EasyCLA Work? <a href="#how-does-it-work" id="how-does-it-work"></a>

Following is a high-level diagram showing the different flows and roles that EasyCLA supports:

![CLA Flow Diagram](https://3411187760-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M2DCN9UgoRgMEkgnLyP-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3dec43672553ee0897d64d7810df217d7e583273%2Fcla%20flow%20diagram.png?alt=media\&token=29bc9ed1-6562-4744-be24-55fae85df40c)

## Different Consoles of EasyCLA:

* [EasyCLA Project Console](https://projectadmin.lfx.linuxfoundation.org) for a project's director or manager (typically an LF staff member) to oversee the project's CLA setup. It is sometimes referred to as the LFX Project Control Center in this documentation.
* [EasyCLA Contributor Console](https://github.com/linuxfoundation/easycla-contributor-console) for a contributor to a project to sign an Individual CLA (ICLA) or to start the corporate CLA (CCLA) signature process.
* [EasyCLA Corporate Console](https://organization.lfx.linuxfoundation.org) for a company's CLA Manager to coordinate the corporate CLA signature process and then manage their company's authorized contributors.

## Quick Help <a href="#quick-help" id="quick-help"></a>

For information about contributing to a project that uses EasyCLA, please see Getting Started and our FAQs page.

For support questions, see our [Troubleshooting page](https://docs.linuxfoundation.org/lfx/easycla/v2-current/getting-started/easycla-troubleshooting) or [file a support ticket](https://jira.linuxfoundation.org/plugins/servlet/theme/portal/4/create/143).


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